Inter Miami Face Tough Test in Charlotte | OneFootball

Saturday features a plethora of good matchups in MLS, but none quite as portentous as Miami’s visit to Charlotte.

Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami

Saturday Sept. 13 @ 7:30pm ETBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Charlotte are the hottest team in the league, riding an eight-game winning streak.Their last MLS loss was on June 28th. True, they did lose two in the Leagues Cup to Juárez and Guadalajara, but other than those fumbles have been tough as nails.

Inter Miami is simply an enigma. Brilliant one week; awful the next. Their performances seem to be less about ability than they are about mentality.

Tale of the Tape

All seven metrics in the Attacking and Passing statistics have Miami winning hands down. In Defending five of the seven matrices lean towards Charlotte, as do six of the seven Other intangibles. So where does that leave us? It all depends on whether you believe offense or defense will win this match.

Charlotte’s superior record on clean sheets (10 total, 5 in their last 8 games) makes me like them more. And going back to mentality, they just play better as a unit. Miami relies too much on individual brilliance (20% of their goals are from outside shots vs. 6% for Charlotte). Miami also have nine league games to play against Charlotte’s four; this one matters to the home side more.

Other Key MLS Matchups

FC Cincinnati vs. Nashville SC

Saturday Sept. 13 @ 7:30pm ETTQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Number 2 hosts number 3 in this clash of the Eastern Conference leaders. Both are likely assured of making the play-in, but need a win to clinch them guaranteed play-off positioning. Both have also suffered dips in form, only winning a single game in their last five. Each seeks to change that fortune.

Nashville’s Sam Surridge has a slim lead over Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot but fewer games to play. He needs to score at every opportunity to keep pressure on the GOAT.

Chicago Fire FC vs. New York City FC

Saturday Sept. 13 @ 8:30pm ETSoldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

These teams currently occupy 9th and 8th place respectively in the East. With Red Bulls lurking just below them, the winner will earn a cushion and the loser could get leapfrogged.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. LAFC

Saturday Sept. 13 @ 8:30pm ETLevi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA

Quakes move a few minutes south to the cavernous Levi’s Stadium to host LAFC. The move was likely predicated on Son Heung-Min mania and the desire to sell more tickets. This is a critical must-win for the home side, as they’re currently sitting atop the play-off bubble in 9th place. With only four games left in their season, each one drips with importance.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Philadelphia Union

Saturday Sept. 13 @ 9:35pm ETBC Place, Vancouver, Canada

The league’s current #1 side takes on the former #1 side. Vancouver sat atop the table for many weeks at the beginning of the season. Despite their dip in the standings, they’re still one of the most dangerous teams in MLS. Union are a menace in every category, defensively stingy (they concede 0.9 goals/game, the only team below 1) and offensively potent. This could be an early look into the MLS Final.

Portland Timbers vs. New York Red Bulls

Saturday Sept. 13 @ 10:30pm ETProvidence Park, Portland, OR

This cross-conference fixture carries play-off consequences for both teams. Portland is in 7th, only three points above Colorado. Red Bulls are two points off the play-off bubble and catapult themselves into contention with a win. Exciting stuff. Should make for a cracking match in the heated atmosphere of Providence Park.

San Diego FC vs. Minnesota United FC

Saturday Sept. 13 @ 10:30pm ETSnapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA

This is a possible preview of the Western Conference championship. The Loons will clinch a play-off spot with a win; San Diego locked theirs in two weeks ago. Minnesota will also be seeking revenge for SDFC’s 4 – 2 victory at Allianz Field back in June, and looking to close that five point deficit for the top spot in the conference.